Natasha Scott has continued her surge up the National Rankings to return as Australia’s number one ranked female bowler.

The NSW state skipper and Australian Jackaroo has enjoyed a steady run up the rankings in recent months, thanks to a dominant November in which she claimed all four NSW Women’s state titles, only to back that up in December.

Scott became the first Australian to play 15 matches in just four days at last week’s Australian Championships at Club Sapphire in Merimbula, making all four finals in the women’s events, collecting gold in the women’s triples and silver in the singles, pairs and fours.

She de-throned Carla Krizanic at the top, who slid to third on the rankings, while Rebecca Van Asch (fourth) and Kelly McKerihen (fifth) swapped places in the only other changes to the top five.

Meanwhile, Barrie Lester remains as Australia’s top ranked male after collecting silver in the men’s singles at the Australian Championships, while just seven ranking points seperate David Ferguson (second) and Lee Schraner (third) who switched positions following the month of November.

The National Rankings System operates on a yearly rolling-points system, where all points accrued are retained for twelve-month period and are then discounted.

The rankings year concludes at the completion of the Australian Open in June 2018, with the number one ranked male and female players earning the titles of Male and Female Bowlers of the Year and $3,000 prize purses each.

Players can accrue ranking points from all national events, State Championships, State Champion of Champion and selected club events.